Hi, I’m Carlin Comm, I’m a wedding photographer and wedding video producer. I originally wrote this for my own photo wedding clients, but I thought I’d share it and see what kind of response I got. I’ll update this as time goes along, and you’re more than welcome to come back and download a new version of it, OK?
I don’t want to come across here as some kind of Expert. This is YOUR WEDDING. So take it all with a grain of salt, if you see something that you like, great, feel free to use it. There is going to be a lot happening on your wedding day, and odds are you really don’t know what to expect. So, with that in mind, here are some things that might help you survive your wedding day.
It never fails, at some point when we are taking the group portraits, someone will ask if we took a picture with the Bride and Aunt Sally. After a few hundred shots, they start to blend together. If we have a shot list, and someone is keeping track of it with a pen and checking them off, it is easy to say we got it.
If you think about it, you probably have at least one friend or family member who is always telling people what to do. They’re perfect for this job! While we’re taking the pictures of the brides maids, the Shot List Person can be lining up the groomsmen. The Photographer can take the pictures, the wedding party can smile for the picture, and things flow smoothly. As we take a shot, we cross it off the list.
It helps if the Shot List Person knows the families, so if we have to find someone, we know who we are looking for. I once took pictures of a wedding and we were about 15 minutes into things before someone noticed we were missing one of the groomsmen. He eventually showed up, but then we had to retake some pictures. Because we had the shot list, it was pretty easy to just go back and reshoot those pictures that he was in, and all was good.
It also helps to have someone as a designated Runner, someone who is not in the wedding party. Say we need some paper towels because the bridesmaids flowers are dripping on the dresses. Send the Runner, that way we don’t lose the bridesmaids, and we can keep taking pics. If we need the Grandparents, and they’re siting in the shade somewhere, we can send the Runner, and keep things rolling.
So, since our survival depends on this Shot List, how do we make it?
If you create your list on your computer, it’s easier to change it, plus when your friend gets married, you can give her a copy, and look like a superstar! The idea is to have a complete list of every picture you want when we are done. So if you want a special picture with you, your mom, and your Aunt Sally, write it down. If you’re like most Brides, you’ll have a lot on your mind, and its easy to forget things like that. Once you have the basic shot list set up, go back and try to put it in order. For example, so that the Bride doesn’t have to move into and out of shots too much. Save the pics with Kids and Grandparents until last, so its not such a long day for them.
If you see something I forgot here, be sure to add it to your list! These are your pictures! Its a good thing to get involved.
Post by Carlin Comm
Photographer, Author, Creative Genius, Renaissance Man, All around Great Guy :)
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